Jackson Purchase News

There were 806 sixth grade students enrolled in McCracken County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 4.5% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Lone Oak Middle School welcomed most of the sixth grade students in the county, registering 263 students.

Within McCracken County schools, the highest student population was found in ninth grade, with the smallest class sizes seen in preschool.

Statewide, McCracken County ranked 13th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 13th the year before.

Kentucky is in the midst of a statewide teacher shortage as turnover rates spiked to 10.9% in 2023, up from an 8.9% nine-year average. This issue is more prominent in schools with more low-income and minority students.

Data also shows that between 2019 and 2023, there was an increase of 260% in the number of available teaching posts in Kentucky schools. This often leads to larger class sizes, combining programs, and retaining staff despite potential negative impacts on teacher working conditions.

School	# of 6th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Lone Oak Middle School	263	31.4%	837
Paducah Middle School	229	31.9%	717
Heath Middle School	149	33.7%	442
Reidland Middle School	125	35.1%	356
McCracken Open Campus School	17	6.1%	279
McCracken Regional School	12	3.4%	355
Choices Educational Center	11	8.6%	128